Good Words from God’s Word
 
I am amazed by the expressions of love directed to Robbie and me during these days of recovery and restoration from surgery. Your prayers for us at this time in our ministry will translate into God’s power and amazing grace, which accounts in healing in both spirit and physical restoration. Listen to what God’s word says:
 

• “I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8)
• “For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).
• “Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him” (Proverbs 30:5).
• “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completer His…” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

 
Verses like these build our confidence in God’s watchful eyes, and abiding compassion, which assures us of His protection and care for us in every situation. Prayer is fellowship with God. God keeps us and sustains us in every need and everything we face when we pray and rely on Him.
 
I’ve been a bit nervous today in the unknowns pertaining to the surgery that will take place in the morning (Thursday). But, then I remember your prayers for me, the surgeons, my family and our church this past Sunday morning. I read these scriptures and immediately feel the spiritual relief and rest which comes only from God. Your prayers and God’s provision are preparing me for that which will happen tomorrow (Thursday).
 
The same principle in prayer will cover our entire church family and the ministry we provide as the people of God. God’s protection and God’s provision will be the result of the 12 Hour Prayer Vigil, which begins today.
 
First, our church family must be totally dependent upon God and His purpose for the ministry of Grace, “Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6),
 
Second, ask God for what you need and He will abundantly provide according to His will, “And my God will supply all your need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
 
Third, Give God glory for what He alone can do because we have been faithful to ask, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it shall be open unto you” (Matthew 7:7).
 
God will advance our church. He will answer our prayers and set the course in growth and impact upon the lives of people who need to be more in touch with Him. Our 12 Hour Prayer Vigil will accomplish more than we can accomplish on our own.
 
The same prayer support that was demonstrated to me and Robbie this past Sunday morning will make the difference in our church as we pray together for God’s great power to be displayed in and through us in the coming year. Let’s trust God. Let’s believe that He is able. Let’s throw ourselves completely upon His provision in accomplishing His perfect will. Let 2017 be the year that we pray more, trust Him more fully, and wait on Him to do what He alone can do.
 
PRAISE GOD FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

Good Words from God’s Word
 
The apostle Paul said about God’s amazing presence among the believers at Ephesus, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably (exceedingly, KJV) more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).
 
The word for “immeasurably” or “exceedingly” means “superabundantly” or “beyond our ability to comprehend”. There is no instrument or calculator that is capable of gauging the magnitude of God’s work in the church. How could Paul make such an amazing statement? He said it because he had seen it. He had witnessed what God did at Ephesus and the only adequate thing he could say about it was, “WOW!” Another way to put it would be, “I’ve never seen anything like this.” God is bigger than anything your eyes can see, your heart can feel, or your hands can touch. He truly is OUT OF THIS WORLD!
 
Even though God exceeds our understanding and comprehension, we have the capacity to see and experience glimpses of him and his work among us.
 
Last night here at Grace our Men’s Ministry caught a glimpse of God’s amazing touch upon us. Last night God showed up in an exceedingly mighty way. We had over 40 present to eat together, laugh and fellowship around the table. You can count and measure the number of men who came. Attendance is not adequate to measure what “exceedingly, abundantly” is. We enjoyed the giving of prizes and the taste of good food. That too is all measurable. The testimonies of our men and the guest speaker were inspirational and motivating as we all expected them to be. But, what was that “immeasurable” thing that took place that only God is able to do?
 
It was the evidence of his presence among us which was seen and felt in the amazing fellowship of men and their children who came together. More importantly, it was the power serge taking place within us which only God supplies when His men get serious about living for Him and serving their King. God’s power does not come in a bottle. There is no formula that you mix together to produce it. Only God has it, and only God can give to us when we humbly ask him to do something amazing in our lives. God did that last night among our men and their children here at Grace.
 
What now? God is not finished. He will by his mighty hand draw our men and their families closer to him. Our men will not only grow in the number who come to events like the one that happened last night, but our men will pull themselves together and become accountable to each other through prayer, Bible study and the ministries God leads us to do. In short, God will use our men as a mighty force for his kingdom’s work. Open your eyes. Catch a glimpse of the “immeasurable” and “exceedingly” great power of God that has been unleashed by God himself in the lives and work of our men who have united to serve and glorify the living Lord.

Good Words from God’s Word
 
The prophet Nahum is called the Prophet of Outraged Humanity. Is it right to be angry over injustice in our world? Can a Christian be angry about the mistreatment of children and the unacceptable attitudes people have toward the weak and vulnerable in our world?
 
For example, between 600,000 and 800,000 women, children, and men are bought and sold across international waters every year and forced in slave labor, commercial sex, or organ harvesting. When internal victims within national borders are added, estimates grow to between 2 and 4 million victims. Of this number, 2 million children are subjected to prostitution throughout the world.
 
Human trafficking right now exceeds the sale of illegal arms worldwide. It will exceed the illegal sale of drugs in a few years. Currently, human trafficking is a $32 billion per year industry here in the United States alone.
 
Locally in Georgia, 12,400 men purchase sex from teenage and younger girls every month. Approximately, 100 girls are abused by adult men every night in Atlanta by men who travel here from all over the country. Business men, professionals, and even international travelers land at Hartsfield/Jackson airport for the purpose of engaging in sexual liaisons with underage girls every night. Atlanta is one of the 14 top cities in the nation in its ongoing sexual exploitation market.
 
How should God feel about all of this? Does He have the right to be angry? Nahum says that He has the right, “Who can stand before His indignation? Who can endure the burning of His anger? His wrath is poured out like fire and the rocks are broken up by Him” (Nahum 1:6).
 
It is correct to see God as unwilling to allow vile and unjust conduct to continue unabated, “A jealous and avenging God is the Lord; the Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserve wrath for His enemies” (Nahum 1:1).
 
Billy Graham tells a story about his wife, Ruth: “Some years ago my wife, Ruth, was reading a draft of a book I was writing. When she finished a section describing the terrible downward spiral of our nation’s moral standards and the idolatry of worshipping false gods such as technology and sex, she startled my by exclaiming, ‘If God doesn’t punish America, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.’” Then Mr. Graham went on to say, “My heart aches for America.”
 
Does your heart ache for America? Does your heart ache for the moral and spiritual decline we see all around us? Nahum is a book about the righteous judgement and just indignation of a holy God over people who disregard His sovereign goodness, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him” (Nahum 1:7).
 
Today at Grace, let’s take refuge in the goodness of God. Like Nahum, let’s be upset about the sin and spiritual failure we see all around us. Let’s trust God to judge and rebuke the wrong, but also to redeem sinners who turn to Him in repentance and faith.

Good Words from God’s Word
 
August has been designated as Sunday School Build-Up month. You will want to mark your calendar because every Sunday has a special Sunday School emphasis:
 

• August 7th   – Sunday School Kick-Off Sunday, get your special prayer reminder Bible Book Marker
• August 14th  – Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Sunday
• August 21st  – Sunday School High Attendance Sunday, Reaching 100 for God’s Glory
• August 27th  – 12 Hour Prayer Vigil for Sunday School
• September 4th – Sunday School Promotion Day, Starting 2 New Classes

 
Begin now to pray and join your friends and church family members in this opportunity to build up our Sunday School. We trust God to send new people who are not yet a part of a Bible study class to become involved in a small group experience that will expand your love and understanding of God’s word. We are asking God to send more of our parents and their children to Sunday School. There is a growing our Sunday School and increasing the impact our church makes through the study of His word.
 
August is also designated by our Church Constitution and Bylaws for selection of Deacons. We now have 6 Deacons who serve on a rotating basis. There will be two deacons which rotate off every year. As our constitution reads, we will select two men to serve as Deacons this month, “The church shall elect Deacons by ballot at regular business meetings of the church.  There shall be one Deacon elected for assigned service for every 12 to 15 church families, with a minimum of three serving at all times.  A list of eligible candidates for service as Deacons will be presented to the Church prior to the 4th Sunday in August.  Church members may vote by secret ballot to nominate candidates for service as Deacons during the morning worship service on the 4th Sunday in August…”
 
According to our By-Laws, the names of eligible men to serve in this capacity will be presented to the congregation next Sunday morning, August 14th. Every church member will have the opportunity to select two names from this list. The two eligible men receiving the greatest number of votes will be contacted by members of the Deacon body in order to secure their affirmation to serve. The final approval of the congregation in regard to those selected and called to serve will take place on August 27th in the morning worship service.
 
The Bible tells us that Deacons should be, “…men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach” (I Timothy 3:8-10).
 
Our church is full of men who are qualified to serve in the role of deacon. A deacon is responsible for the care and health of the fellowship. Deacons dedicate themselves to protecting, nurturing and attending to the needs of the people. They are not rulers or administrators with authority over God’s people. They are to serve like shepherds who care for the needs of their flock. Begin to pray now for those whom you believe should serve.